Drug charges after raids on homes

Police have charged 20 people in connection with alleged drug offences following arrests in Essex.

Officers raided 21 premises in the Braintree and Bocking areas on Wednesday morning in an operation involving more than 100 officers.

The arrested men, women and youths were charged with a variety of offences including supplying heroin and crack cocaine and producing cannabis.

They are due to appear before Chelmsford magistrates.

Other people arrested during the raids were released on bail, while some were cautioned for drug possession.